Wheel-guard for deflecting objects from the track.



W. G. GURRAN.

WHEEL GUARD FOR DEFLBC'IING OBJECTS FROM THE TRACK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1913.

1,073,743. Patented Sept. 23, 1913.

GH'OWQAAO WILLIAM C. CURRAN, OF MAYSVILLE, KENTUCKY.

WHEEL-GUARD FOR DEFLECTING OBJECTS FROM THE TRACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 13, 1913.

Patented Sept. 23, 1913.

Serial No. 754,073.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. CURRAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Maysville, in the county of Mason and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful WVheel Guard for Deflecting Objects from the Track; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it uppertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to a new and useful wheel guard.

As an object of the invention, it is the aim to construct a wheel guard that may be used not only as a flanger, but also as a means for deflecting objects from the track and the path of the wheel.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a wheel guard of this nature, constructed to fit the contour of the wheel be tween the wheel, or rather the forward portion of the wheel, and the track.

Another object of the invention is to conneet the guard to the brake shoe holder in such a manner as to allow the guard to rise and lower, in case any obstruction gets under the guard.

In practical fields the details of construc tion may necessitate alterations, to which the patentee has a right, provided the alterations fall within the scope of what is claimed.

The invention comprises further features and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car wheel, showing the application of the improved wheel guard constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 33 of Fig. 1 extending down through the rail and wheel. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the wheel guard detached.

Referring more particularly to the annexed illustrations, 1 designates the usual form of car wheel while 2 denotes a brake shoe holder, to which the brake shoe 3 is applied, whereas 4 denotes the wheel guard. This wheel guard is of a shape to fit the forward under peripheral contour of the wheel,

and is provided with a forward slightly downwardly extending tongue 6 terminating a short distance above the track. This tongue is formed V-shaped, in order to deflect objects from the rail.

The improved guard is constructed with a bifurcation 7 to receive the holder 2, while the forks 8, between which the bifurcation is disposed, are provided with elongated apertures or openings 9 to receive the lugs or pins 10. In case obstructions or objects get under the guard, the guard may rise and lower, owing to the provision of the elongated apertures or openings, and while rising and lowering, the guard remains concentric with the contour of the wheel.

From the foregoing in conjunction with the annexed illustrations, it follows that there has been devised an eilicient, simple and useful wheel guard or deflector, and one which has been found desirable and practical, owing to the rising and lowering feature of the guard, which will allow the guard to pass over an obstruction or object, which cannot be deflected by the guard.

The wheel guard, as shown in Fig. 3 may be made hollow, in order to greatly lessen its weight, without detracting from its strength. Nuts 10 are threaded upon the lugs or pins 10. These nuts may be loosened, so that the wheel guard may automatically rise and lower, there being a slight space between the nuts and the wheel guard, as shown in Fig. 2 to accomplish this purpose. However, the nuts may be tightened in contact with the opposite side of the wheel guard, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to hold the guard in adjusted positions.

The invention having been set forth, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. In combination with a brake shoe holder, a wheel guard constructed of a shape to conform and fit the peripheral contour of the forward under portion of a car wheel, said guard having a bifurcation to receive said holder, and means for loosely connecting the guard to the holder.

2. In combination with a brake shoe holder, a wheel guard constructed of a shape to conform and lit the peripheral contour of the forward under portion of a car wheel, said guard having a bifurcation to receive said holder, said holder having pairs of lat- In testimony whereof I have signed my erally extending pins, one pair upon each name to this specification in the presence of side of the holder, said guard having elontwo subscribing Witnesses.

gated apertures arranged in pairs to receive VILLIAM C. CURRAN. said pins for loosely suspending the guard Witnesses:

so as to permit Vertical movement of the M. A. SWIFT,

latter. J 0s. F. JOHNSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Pate-ts. Washington, D. C. 

